EN
The aim of this article is to shed light on Korean mothers' roles in the socialization of their adolescent children. The issue is analyzed from two perspectives: (1) through a historical approach that takes into acco unt the Confucian background of Korean family life; and (2) by conside ration of concepts and results from the field of adolescent development. The authors point out that the Confucian influence remains strongly in modern Korea while at the same time mothers' responsibilities in paren ting and socialization have increased. As a consequence, the relationship between mothers and their adolescent children has become more com plex, intense, and unstable. The authors come to a conclusion that ba lancing of autonomy and dependence will be the most important develop mental task for both mothers and their children.